| On
the 1st Inst. at 3 AM. we got under way from this place,
at 9 the “Galley” & “Lookout boat” Signald the Enemy,
“A Brig & schooner,” below us, the wind light
from the northward & inclined to calm, we gave chase
Sails & Oars, and came up with them very fast, on
approaching, I found that they were two schooners,
One a full Rigged, shewing Nine ports on
a side, they made signals & fired guns: when off St.
Jeromes we discovered a large ship underway, and that
she had dispatched a number of Barges to the Assistance
of the schooners— unfortunately at this time the
wind shifted to SW and squally, which brought the ship
to windward of us and under a press of sail steering for
point-look-out of course could cut us off from the Potomac, I
then made the signal “for Patuxent,” and was followed
by a 74, three schooners & Seven Barges, with a fresh
wind, Squally & Rain (bad for my boats) at
4 PM we doubled round Cedar point in the mouth
of this river, The barges in all sail, as the wind
had hauled to the westward, & rowed up under the weather
shore, The Scorpion worked in very well,
but the Gun boats hung in the Rear, particularly
Gun boat 137, (with provisions) The Enemies whole
force very little astern, finding I must loose No.
137 or risk an engagement I brought the Scorpion,
& gunboat 138 to Anchor; sent men onboard 137
to Row & tow her in, the Tide & wind being
against us, Signal’d my Barges to return and join me Imediately,
at this moment No. 138 & myself opened a fire
on the Large Schooner, who was leading in with a number
of Barges, she Imediately bore up and got her boats ahead
to tow her off; my Barges rowed down upon her and the
other schooners and gave them a number of shot at long
distance, We then gave up the chace, got under
way with the Scorpion & gunboats and returned
into port with all the flotilla, during the fireing,
the enemy advanced a Barge which threw Rockets,
but as they cannot be directed with any certainty they
did no Execution, but I find they can be thrown further
than we can our shot; and conclude from this Essay, this
will be their mode of Warfare against the flotilla, The
74 is now anchored off the mouth of this River, the large
schooner with her, the Barges play about all day—the other
schooners have gone down the Bay, I presume for more force,
in which case some attempt may probably be made to Attack
us, we lay about 3 miles up the river (in Sight) I shall
observe their motions and act accordingly, I now regret
not having furnaces for hot shot, In a day or
two I expect the enemy will make their arrangements and
if the troops that are in this neighbourhood were ordered
to this place I conceive a good use might be made of them— This
affair has confirmed me in the bad opinion I had of the
Gunboats for this service for to save No.
137 I was near being exposed in Bad weather,
to a general engagement with a heavy force, may I now
be permitted to ask you for a vessel to carry provisions,
such as will not be the means of disasters or disgrace, if
you will allow me one she can be had of Mr. William
ONeal in Washington, She is now here having
been under my convoy, and her captain has gone on to Washington— she
is a fine Vessel, sails well & will carry about
450 barrels, the Captain who is half owner will go in
her, and says you may have her very cheap (hired)
as he has nothing to employ her with. I have thought proper
to send this by express, and have only waited to observe
the movements of the Enemy to day; by the post on Monday
I shall give you further details And am with great respect
your Obt. Servt. |
